PLNU dropped its final home game Saturday night, falling to The Master's 72-61. The Sea Lions trailed for the entire game, but kept it close and made things interesting in the closing minutes before the Mustangs pulled away.

With three minutes remaining PLNU cut the Mustang lead to two, but the Sea Lions went cold after that and the Mustangs took advantage, closing the game on a 14-5 run.

The game began about as badly as possible for PLNU, as the team went scoreless for the first 6:22 of the game. In that span, the Mustangs jumped out to a 10-0 lead. Jake Johnston knocked down a three-pointer to finally get the Sea Lions on the board with 13:38 left in the half.

The Sea Lions closed the gap to 24-19 with just over three minutes left in the half, but TMC's Dean Hadley hit two three-pointers and added a layup in the next three minutes. Hadley finished with a game-best 23 points, leading the way for an athletic Mustang team that frustrated the Sea Lions' offense, especially in the first half.

The teams traded buckets for much of the second half, with the Mustangs leading by no more than 11 and no less than six until there were less than five minutes to play. Then a layup by Johnston cut the lead to five and a bucket inside by James Hancock made the score 57-54 Mustangs with 3:42 to play.

PLNU drew within two a minute later, on two free-throws by Rhett Beal. The Sea Lions then caught a tough break when an errant pass by the Mustangs resulted in Johnston colliding with TMC guard Joey Fuca. Johnston was called for a foul and Fuca hit both shots to put TMC up by four.

On the next possession, the Mustangs got a huge block from forward Roy Walker, who rejected a drive by Beal and gave TMC the ball. Both teams then turned the ball over twice, and after a timeout TMC's Thomas Millar drove the length of the court and converted a three-point play to put the Mustangs up by seven.

The Sea Lions did their best to stay in it from that point, but the Mustangs made their free-throws (21-of-27 for the game) to seal the win.

Hancock led the Sea Lions with 19 points. Johnston scored 16 and Beal added 12. Hancock and Beal grabbed nine rebounds each.

The Master's got a big boost from its bench, which outscored the Sea Lions 26-1. Richard Lafleur came off the bench to score 11 for the Mustangs, who improve to 11-8 in the GSAC, 18-11 overall with the win.

PLNU's playoff hopes remain alive, despite the Sea Lions' fifth straight loss. Vanguard lost to Westmont tonight and stands at 4-15, a half game behind PLNU, which finishes the regular season with a record of 8-20, 5-15 in GSAC play.

The Sea Lions need Vanguard to lose on Monday when they host Cal Baptist (17-12, 10-9). If Vanguard loses, PLNU will likely be the eight seed in the conference's playoffs, beginning Thursday. The team would travel to #1 Concordia for a first round game.

The only other scenario would involve San Diego Christian upsetting Concordia on Monday night in Irvine. If that happens, SDCC would claim the final spot. If Vanguard or San Diego Christian wins on Monday, PLNU's season is officially over.

-Jeremiah Wood